A Fight to the End, the 2015-2016 Football Season

The English Premier League is often claimed to be the best football league in the world. While many will argue that clubs like Bayern Munich from the Budesliga or Real Madrid and Barcelona from La Liga can demolish the best and the brightest of the Premier League, the EPL does, however, provide the strength and unpredictability that bolsters its reputation above the rest.

Unlike the German Giants and the Spanish Stars, the English Premier League provides the world with redemption. Teams, such as Swansea, West Ham, and the soon to be crowned champions Leicester City, are now making the necessary impact in playing against the big boys. In the German, Spanish, and even French leagues, this type of Cinderella story is unheard of, and quite frankly rare. To have this level of competition where the little teams and smaller cities have a chance against the Goliath teams such as Manchester United or Manchester City is what makes watching and following sports so great. In fact, it makes the win that much bigger for both the fans and the soccer world. As much as we can respect Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain, seeing this level of play week after week is something that represents the true essence of soccer.

As we enter the last few weeks and games of the 2015-2016 English Premier League season, we are seeing some of the best matchups between relegated teams and the top four title contenders. Let’s start off with the current top four. Unlike the past few years, we are seeing the true essence of hard work and dedication with Leicester City in first, followed by Tottenham Hotspurs, Arsenal, and Manchester City. Now, while you can argue that Arsenal and Manchester City are a part of the monopolized corporate teams, they are still well below the two biggest write offs since the start of the season. With just a few games left, many people, fans, and critics have already anticipated the Leicester City crowning. But for that to happen, they need to survive the next few weeks.

While ten to twelve games, especially against the bottom ranking teams, may seem like an easy road glory, soccer fans know that the fight to the end is always the toughest. Unlike football, baseball, and basketball, the bottom three teams of the English Premier League are demoted to the second division within the soccer pyramid. For teams such as West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Leicester who have seen this fate, they know that it takes years just to make it back into the league. For these clubs, it is not about points. It is not about winning. Instead, it is about livelihood. Any draw or loss is another dagger into the heart of their club. If they are not perfect these next few weeks, they will have to accept the ultimate failure of getting kicked out of the best league in the world.

This fight to the end has always been the exciting part of soccer. But with the pair ups against the big four, we still do not know what will happen. All I know is that I am showing the Foxes some support and rooting for the underdogs. Hopefully Manchester Untied can also pull a miracle and assume the fourth spot ahead of their city rivals. For now, all I can do is sit, watch, and enjoy the end of the season.